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A Brand-New National Monument: The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks

President Obama signs a proclamation at the Department of the Interior designating the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks a National Monument.

Yesterday, President Obama walked over to the Department of the Interior to designate the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks a National Monument. In the President's remarks, he illustrated not only the importance of preserving the beauty of this region, but the history as well.

The President also stressed the positive economic impact that America's public lands have on local communities.

It's impossible to put a price on towering peaks and pristine forests and America's cultural history, but we know that our national parks have an economic impact that extends beyond their boundaries. In 2012, hundreds of millions of recreational visits to public lands and waters generated over $50 billion for local communities, and supported nearly 900,000 jobs. So whether they're hiking or camping or fishing, visitors to our parks and public lands are not only enjoying the bounty of our natural resources, but also they're promoting jobs and they're promoting growth. And continuing to set aside federal land for outdoor recreation will drive critical revenue for those local communities, and preserve our pristine lands for generations to come.

To honor the occasion, the Department of the Interior took over the White House Instagram to share some of their favorite photos of America's public lands.

But one day might not be enough -- so if you want photos like this every day, follow Interior on Instagram.